摘要:
A refresh rate of a random-access memory (RAM) is increased if a number of errors is greater than an error threshold and the refresh rate has not reached a maximum rate. The refresh rate of the RAM is set to a normal rate if the number of errors is less than or equal to the error threshold.
摘要:
A memory subsystem can test a memory device in situ, testing the performance of the device in the system it is built into during production. Thus, the refresh rate can be adjusted specific to the memory device(s) of a specific system, rather than defaulting to a refresh frequency specified by a standard for the memory device(s). A test component embedded within the host memory subsystem can perform a test and identify specific bits or lines of memory that produce errors when a lower frequency refresh rate is used. The system maps out the identified bits or lines to prevent the bits/lines from being used in runtime of the system. The memory subsystem can then set its refresh rate to an adjusted refresh rate at which a threshold number of errors can be removed by mapping out the bits/lines.
摘要:
When a single error of data is detected by an ECC circuit, a cycle adjusting unit provided on a memory board shortens a refresh cycle T1 of a refresh request generating unit to T2 and causes a patrol controlling unit to intensively carry out an error patrol of an error-occurred address at a cycle T3, which is slightly longer than the changed refresh cycle T2. If an error is not detected for more than a predetermined period of time after the error patrol is started, the error patrol is stopped. Furthermore, if a single error is not detected for more than a predetermined period of time after the error patrol is stopped, the shortening of the refresh cycle is cancelled and returned to the original cycle.
摘要:
A semiconductor memory is provided with a plurality of first memory blocks and a second memory block for reproducing data of the first memory blocks. When a read command and a refresh command conflict with each other, a read control circuit accesses the first memory block according to the refresh command and reproduces read data by using the second memory block. When a write command (WRA) and the refresh command (REFRQ) conflict with each other, a write control circuit operates the memory block according to an order of command reception. Therefore, it is possible to perform refresh operation without being recognized by users. Namely, a user-friendly semiconductor memory can be provided.
摘要:
A refresh rate of a random-access memory (RAM) is increased if a number of errors is greater than an error threshold and the refresh rate has not reached a maximum rate. The refresh rate of the RAM is set to a normal rate if the number of errors is less than or equal to the error threshold.
摘要:
A data additional circuit adds plural types of expectation data to be read from a refresh block to data read from other blocks, respectively, to generate plural read data strings. An error correction circuit detects an error for each read data string, and sets the most reliable result of the error detection results to be true. The error correction circuit decodes data to be read from the refresh block based on a true error detection result. Moreover, the error correction circuit corrects the error of the read data string corresponding to the true error detection result. Consequently, without extending the read cycle time, a refresh operation can be hid, and an error can be corrected simultaneously. By correcting a data error read from a bad memory cell of data retention characteristics, a refresh request interval can be extended, and power consumption during a standby period can be reduced.